Cheryl & Liam's Relationship Timeline In Full

It’s the most unexpected pairing of 2016 — the ex-One Directioner and the judge. Here’s the latest...

Cheryl and Liam

Cheryl and Liam's romance was pretty 100% unexpected so it was understandable that Cheryl’s ex-husband seemed pretty unhappy about it and Liam Payne’s ex-gf Sophia Smith has said it’s ‘so weird’.

BUT now we've got used to the idea, it's actually pretty cute. They seem happy, and who cares about a 10 year age gap anyway? Even if they did meet when he was a teen...

We look back on their relationship history — since it all began in 2008…

2008: 14-year-old Liam sings Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon in for his X Factor audition and Cheryl, who was married to Ashley Cole at the time, is on the judging panel. She says as feedback: ‘I think you’re really cute. I think you’ve got charisma and you give us that cheeky little wink.’

January 2016: Liam and Cheryl are reportedly dating, after getting together around the final in mid December, and he gets a rose tattoo on his hand that resembles her controversial bum tat.

26th February 2016: The Sun breaks the story of Cheryl and Liam dating, with ‘close pals’ revealing he is ‘madly in love’ with her. Liam also changed his Instagram profile picture to the two of them together.

28th February 2016: Cheryl and Liam are spotted (and papped by a passer by) together at a supermarket in Tesco.

2nd March 2016: Cheryl posts a picture with a mystery arm in the back of a car which obvs makes the internet go mad trying to track down the owner of said limb – discussing watch brands, jumpers and the likes.

9th March 2016: Liam and Cheryl are papped out for the first time (apart from those Tesco shots), both looking matchy matchy in black, at Salmontini in London with her mum. She was wearing a 'LOVE' necklace.

10th March: Seemingly hitting back at the h8rs, Cheryl posted an obligatory Instagram quote with the caption: 'cherylofficial It can be so hard at times being a girl, for sooo many reasons! But we don't have to make it harder for each other.. Why do we still feel the need to do that ?? I don't understand it. I have always been a Girls girl, and love other strong women. That is why I surround myself with them, and that is why I try to empower others. Trying to pull another person down, only speaks volumes about your character.! And not a thing about theirs.. There's nothing more powerful or beautiful than an inspiring, strong women that you can look up to or turn to... Be one!!!'

4th April: Simon Cowell has spoken out about the new(ish) couple — and he's actually been pretty sweet, saying: 'I saw them together and we had a really nice dinner [...] They were on good form. They're like two little chipmunks madly in love. Literally they were so cute.

'But importantly they both seemed very happy over here and very relaxed. I'm happy for them.'

9th May: Cheryl and Liam make their red carpet debut at the Global Gift Gala in Paris. It seems to be working for them...

11th May: Liam posts a selfie of the lurved-up pair on their way to Cannes... Only the second EVER since they've been a couple! (We know, shocker - right?)

12th May: Here they are looking lovey-dovey at Cannes again...

11th June: Things are pretty serious when you're a +1 at your boyfriend's sister's wedding, right? Cheryl and Liam rocked up to the Wolverhampton wedding in all their finery at the weekend, and even wore matching grey.

19th June: Apparently the loved-up pair have been talking about starting a family! Wowzers. Ahh, it can be friends with Louis' baby.

22nd September: Cheryl is snapped taking a selfie by her PR agency, but with her stomach mysteriously cropped out, people are wondering if Cheryl and Liam might be celebrating something pretty special...

27th October: Cheryl steps out for the launch of her new perfume in London, wearing a blue jumpsuit that covered up her chest, arms and belly. While the pictures weren't as pored over as those in the black jumpsuit, fans are eagerly on stomach-watch to see if there might be a little Liam in there...

30th October: Girls Aloud bandmate and best pal Kimberley Walsh gave an interview to The Daily Star, saying she didn't 'want to go into too much detail' about the rumours, and that she was 'really happy that she's happy. I feel it's something that she should speak about, but to know she's happy makes me happy.'

2nd November: Cheryl talked on The One Show about rumours and speculation around her private life...

20th November: Another day, another telling Insta-pic of Cheryl. This time, Nicola Roberts put up a photo from her birthday dinner where Cheryl's not only hiding her tummy but she's the only guest without a wine glass! Does this confirm things?

23rd November: Has Brian Friedman let the proverbial cat out of the bag? In an interview with new! magazine, the choreographer said: 'Everyone wants to be in love, everyone wants to be happy. […] And now they're having a baby together, so they definitely found something great. It's funny to think back how long ago it was that they first met.’ Urrrm, what?

29th November: So, these pap pics surely settle the time-old 'is Cheryl pregnant' debate? The pair attended the Fayre of St James Christmas Concert in London, and Cheryl had a VERY clear bump on show... Time to send the congrats card, non?